New TV studio-based Driver CPC training has received praise from fleets – with more than half of delegates saying they prefer it to traditional classroom training.
The new resource was introduced by training specialist Fleet Source on 1 April 2020 – just days after the UK went into lockdown and the DVSA announced it was suspending classroom courses.
Fully approved by the DVSA, the ‘LIVE’ training uses dynamic, interactive content which is ‘Livecast’ to delegates and has helped customers to meet the challenge of meeting increased demand for delivery of vital foods, medicines and hygiene products during the pandemic while ensuring that the growing backlog of CPC training does not impact their business post the crisis and during vital business recovery periods.
Research carried out by Fleet Source from May to July among 106 delegates has found the training method has proved popular, with nearly two-thirds (62%) saying they preferred LIVE training to classroom training and the same percentage said, given the opportunity they would conduct all their training via LIVE rather than classroom-based tuition. And 70% said that LIVE delivery was better than traditional webinars.
A total of 68% said they had signed up to the training as a contribution to their CPC hours and 25% in order to achieve contract compliance.
The vast majority (79%) said they would recommend the course to others while 87% said the slides presentation was easy to follow and 74% said that the interaction between the trainer and delegates worked as well as in a classroom. In addition, 88% said the format allowed them to ask questions and 71% said that it enabled them to engage with attendees.
Feedback from delegates on the most valuable things gained from LIVE training included: “There was really good interaction with others on the course” and “The interactive poll worked well for confirmation of knowledge”. One respondent also said it was “superior in every way to classroom attendance”.
Delegates also noted about the time saving from not having to drive to the course and the resultant emissions reduction.
The figures have been published as Fleet Source CEO Nick Caesari called on the DVSA to ensure the fleet industry is not left behind in the digital training revolution after the DVSA published the results of its industry consultation on DCPC. It’s now pushing ahead with a number of changes as a result of the consultation, which launched on 18 March, but Fleet Source has said the findings don’t reflect the challenges in DCPC delivery during the crisis.
Caesari added: “Industries across the UK and internationally have fully embraced the power of engaging, interactive distance learning and feedback from delegates on our TV-studio-based LIVE courses show that our sector is no exception.
“Citing ease of access, cost savings and reduced impact on the environment – no need for long journeys to and from the classroom venue – they have seen that today’s distance learning is leagues ahead of the old ‘death by PowerPoint’ and want to embrace it as we get back to business beyond the lockdown.
“The DVSA must ensure that the fleet industry is not left behind in the digital training revolution. Fleet operators and drivers clearly have a great appetite for the benefits and opportunities it brings. Now, more than ever, is time for transformative change in the commercial driver training sector.”
